Varsity Blues Women's Basketball

Archives for 2009-10 Pre-Season

Beth L. McCharles Joins Blues Staff

PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT

McCharles Consulting – Private practice (2003-present)   

•  Performance Coach – Canadian Athlete Centre – Ontario

•  Performance Coach - Canadian Sport Psychology Association

Beth is an acknowledged speaker, facilitator and consultant. Over the past

ten years she has been mentoring and coaching programs to help youth,

athletes and professions reach their top performance by turning their

potential into reality. Beth had built a strong clientele within non-for-profit

organization, of university athletic departments, and many other clubs,

performers, and athletes.

During her athletic intercollegiate career at St. Francis Xavier (1997-2001) and University of Ottawa

(2001-2003), Beth captained both squads and was Atlantic Conference MVP and two-time Athletic and Academic All-Canadian. Internationally, Beth represented Canada at The FISU World University Games in Beijing , China in 2001 and yet again in 2003 as team Captain in Daegu , South Korea. Beth also played varsity hockey for St. Francis Xavier University.

Born and raised in Cape Breton , Nova Scotia , Beth holds a B.A. in Human Kinetics from St. Francis Xavier, a M.A. in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa and is currently completing her PhD in Exercise Science-Sport Psychology at the University of Toronto.

Blues Announce Team Captains

Erin McNeely      Nicki Schutz

Blues Travel to Winnipeg (Oct 23-25)

  The Blues opened their final pre-season weekend with a game against the host Bisons of the University of Manitoba. For the first, third and fourth quarters the two teams were even as the Blues won 16-15, tied at 16 apiece and lost 15-16 so the second period was the key. Toronto outscored their rivals by 24-16 in their best display of balanced offense and consistent shooting of the young season. The Blues took their 40-31 lead into the half -time break and hung on for a 71-63 win.

Nicki Shutz had another big double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Blues while Erin McNeely had a 5 for 5 10 point evening to go with her 5 boards, 6 assists, 4 turnovers and 2 steals for a full stat sheet game. Rookie Katelyn McConnell stepped up with 10 points for her first double digit game as a Blue. Emily Larson had 4 rebounds and 5 assists while Joanna Medri chipped in with 6 steals.

 On Saturday the Blues took on Saskatchewan, the winners of the Ryerson Tournament in Toronto last weekend. The Blues came out on fire with their best quarter of the young season. Toronto jumped to a 28-21 lead over the shocked Huskies with transition, great ball movement and 48% shooting. Then it was like the young Blues squad hit a wall, shooting dropped into the low 20% range, defensive lapses led to layups and inside post scoring and fouls sent Saskatchewan to the line for 22 freebies. Toronto scored just 36 points in the final 3 frames to come up on the short side of an 85-64 score.

 Another double-double by Nicki (26 points and 13 rebounds) led all players in the game. First year guard Amanda Lum followed with 13 points. Megan Stoncius had 7 points and 3 steals while Tania Meunier had 7 as well with 3 boards and 2 assists and that was about it for Blues highlights.

 Sunday the Blues took on Winnipeg for second place in the tournament. It was close and hard fought from the opening tip with the lead going back and forth throughout. The Wesmen took a 16-15 lead at the quarter, Toronto moved ahead 31-27 at the break and the Blues clung to a 51-50 lead going into the final period. With just over 4 minutes left Toronto held a 63-58 lead but Winnipeg quickly tied it up at 63 and the teams went into the last minute with the Blues down 65-68. The Blues moved to within 1 at 35 seconds and had possesion in the front court with 7 seconds left still down 1 at 67-68. With a travelling call, the Blues turned the ball over without taking a shot and Winnipeg held on for the win.

 Toronto was led again by Nicki with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. In the best team effort of the season five other Blues players chipped in with 11 points each in a balanced attack - Megan Stoncius had 5 rebounds and 3 steals, Amanda Lum had 4 assists, Erin McNeely had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and Emily Larson had 3 assists along with their 11 point outputs. Joanna Medri had a strong defensive game and added 5 assists and 3 steals.

  Blues Open Season at McGill Tournament (Oct 16-19)

  The Varsity Blues start the season with 3 games at McGill University in Montreal. The Blues are in a rebuilding phase after losing 4 of their starters from last years OUA East first place team. There are 6 new players and with no fifth year seniors and just two fourth year players, Toronto will have a young inexperienced squad. In spite of this youth movement, the Blues have high expectations for this group that has been working hard in the 6 weeks of pre-season training.

Blues Lose First Game

  The first game for the six new Blues players was a hard fought, physical welcome to the big leagues as the tough Acadia Axewomen out-hustled, out-worked and pushed around the young Blues squad. Acadia took a 20 - 12 first quarter lead but Nicki Shutz as a returning league All Star and team captain took over the game and led the Blues back to tie up the game at 35 at the half. Acadia stepped up and dominated again after the intermission and pulled ahead for a 63-47 lead after 30 minutes. Toronto was not ready to quit and made a run in the fourth and won the quarter but it was not enough as Acadia hung on and pulled away again for a 79-64 victory. For the Blues Nicki Schutz was the Player of the Game as she led both teams with 27 points and 13 rebounds to go with her 3 assists and 5 steals. Third year player Megan Stoncius had a strong effort shooting 5 for 8 to score 10 points while fourth year co-captain Erin McNeely chipped in 8 points with 4 assists and 4 steals. First time starter Emily Larson had 8 points, 4 assists and 4 steals for a solid game.

Blues Bounce Back with Strong Efforts from the Rookies

 In the second game of the tournament the Blues took on conference opponent Queens. After a slow start, Toronto, led by the energy and full court pressure of the new players forced 34 turnovers and came back from being down 28-23 at the half and still down 48-45 at three quarters to dominate the last 10 minutes holding the Gaels to just 3 points to take a 61-51 win.

Nicki was again Player of the Game with her 22 points, 14 rebound double-double. Rookie Amanda Lum had 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals while fellow rookie Katelyn McConnell had 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal while sophmore Emily Larson had 5 points and 3 steals as these three youngsters were on the court at crunch time to finish off the comeback for the first victory.

 Looking too much like last year's team, the Blues had 66 shots compared to Queens 49 but 29% shooting kept the game close. Toronto did have 40 free throws compared to Queens 24, a stat that again is very similar to last season's style. In this case hopefully the Blues can continue this performance and follow up with another first place finish.

Blues Have a Setback in Third Game

 On Sunday Toronto had a strong start against host McGill but were unable to keep up with the sharp shooting Martlets as 6 players spread around 10 threes compared to the Blue's one. McGill opened up a tie game after 10 minutes with a 28-15 run over the middle frames and then increased the lead to 15 before the Blues started a push of their own to get back to within 8 at the 4 minute mark. The Blues held McGill at 6 points from there but were unable to close it out as the Martlets held on for a 62-52 win.

Tournament All-Star Nicki Schutz again led both teams with 23 points and 9 rebounds but also led the game with 7 turnovers. Erin McNeely scored 8 points and had 2 steals and Katelyn McConnell followed with 5 points and 4 boards.

Blues Announce New Players

Robyn Fashler transfers from UBC to join the Blues

   Robyn Fashler comes to U of T from Vancouver, B.C. where she led York House School to the B.C. Provincial AA  Championship as an all star in Grade 11 and earned best defensive player in the school's runner-up finish in Grade 12.  She was selected to the Basketball Canada Centre for Performance at 13 and participated in that program for 3 years.  She was selected for the B.C. U16 provincial team.  Robyn is a versatile athlete with solid basketball skills and she has played positions from point guard to power forward and can guard all 5 positions.  The 6'1" wing player is an honour student who received both athletic and academic scholarships entering UBC as a freshman in 2007 where she was a member of the 2008 CIS National Championship team.  This summer, she will be playing basketball for the Canadian team competing in the 18th Maccabi Games in Israel.
     In addition to basketball, Robyn also competes in ultimate.  As a member of the B.C. Provincial Ultimate team in Grade 12, she won the gold at the Canadian National Championships in 2007.  In university, she played on the UBC Women's  Ultimate team which won the North American Ultimate College Championship in 2008.   She was selected captain for the Canadian National Junior Women's Ultimate team that competed in the World's Tournament held in Vancouver last summer. 
    Spending the last academic year away from varsity basketball, Robyn is very excited to be coming to U of T and hopes to contribute to the continued success of the Blues next year.

Hayley Max-Lino Joins Blues from Ottawa

  Hayley Max-Lino a 5'11" forward will be coming from Ottawa's Glebe Collegiate and the Gloucester Wolverines Club team to join the Varsity Blues next season. In high school Hayley was an honour role student since grade 9. She was a basketball City All-Star who led the Gryphons as a top scorer and team captain during her four years on the senior team. She also was a star and team captain on the touch football team which she led in touchdowns scored. The Wolverines are a consistent Division 1 OBA club team and Hayley has won many awards as an on court and off court leader for this successful squad from the Capital region.

  Hayley has been accepted into the faculty of Physical Education and Health and is excited to be joining the Blues family.

Katelyn McConnell Joins the Varsity Blues

 Katelyn McConnell, a 5'10" guard from Sinclair S.S. in Whitby is looking forward to becoming a Varsity Blues team-member next season. Katelyn is an accomplished versatile athlete who has been named school Athlete of the Year in Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. She has been a captain of both the basketball and field lacrosse teams in her senior years as well as MVP in basketball, lacrosse and badminton. She has represented her school at the Ontario Athletic Leadership Camp. Katelyn also has been a captain of the Durham Eclipse basketball team that has been an OBA first division team for her two seasons with the Junior team. With the Eclipse she has travelled to Vienna for an Internationaltournament.

 Katelyn will be studying Social Sciences.

Alicia Van Kampen Joins Blues

 Alicia Van Kampen will travel down Highway 10 from Orangeville to join the Blues squad next year. Alicia is a 6'2" post from Westside Secondary School and the Oakville Vytis Break OBA club team.

 Playing basketball for the Thunder, she was a District Champion and District All-Star for all four years and MVP of the District Final in '08. With Oakville, she was a provincial Juvenile Silver medalist in '08 and the '09 Junior team qualified for the OBA first division.     Alicia was also a four time All-Star for her Westside volleyball team as well as competing in soccer, track and badminton during her highschool career.

  She will be studying Physical Education and Health at UofT.

Amanda Lum Another New Member of the Blues

  Amanda Lum a 4 year honour student comes to the Blues from Markham where she attended Unionville High School. She was named to the school Hall of Fame after she was selected as the Athlete of the Year and the basketball team MVP twice. Last year she was at UofT and played on the Tri-Campus League Championship team while also playing for the Etobicoke Storm Junior OBA Club team. Amanda is in the second year of studies in the Faculty of Physical Education and Health.

Grace Mahary Makes it Six New Blues

  Grace Mahary comes to the Blues from Edmonton where she spent 2 years at Archbishop O'Leary before moving to Toronto's Jarvis CI. While at O'Leary she was the Junior basketball and volleyball MVP and as a first year Senior she was part of a Provincial Silver medalist. Last year she was at UofT and played on the Tri-Campus Championship team when she was not busy with a modelling career and Community activities. Grace was a leader and organizer of Equity workshops for first year BPHE students. She is in her second year of  Physical Education and Health.